UK Teens Turn to Influencers for Exam Success Amid Stress

In a growing trend, British teenagers are increasingly turning to online influencers for assistance with their exam preparations. This shift has raised concerns among educators about the reliability of the advice being offered and the potential impact on students’ academic performance.

Among the most notable figures in this space is former teacher Waqar Malik, who operates a popular YouTube channel under the name “Mr Everything English.” Malik has drawn attention for claiming he can predict exam questions for the UK’s GCSE school exams, particularly in classic English literature. His videos, which include predictions for the upcoming examinations, have amassed thousands of views, with one particular video reaching nearly 290,000 views.

Malik, who identifies as a former assistant head teacher, describes his predictions as “educated guesses.” Yet, educators like Sarah Brownsword, an assistant professor at the University of East Anglia, express concern about the influence such predictions may have on students. “If you are a 15- or 16-year-old doing your GCSEs and you’ve got somebody in your phone who’s telling you ‘this is what the English exam is going to be about’… that is so appealing,” she stated.

As the GCSE results are set to be released on August 21, 2023, some students have already expressed disappointment in Malik’s predictions after sitting for their exams. “Never listening to you again bro,” commented one student, while others expressed frustration about their performance, feeling they would struggle to find employment.

The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA), one of the UK’s major exam boards, has noted an “increasing reliance on certain online revision channels.” While the organization acknowledges the importance of these resources, it cautions that students should focus on their own interpretations of the texts they have studied rather than relying solely on social media forecasts.

Challenges Facing Students and Educators

The pressure on students is immense, with many feeling overwhelmed by the volume of material they must cover. Sarah Hannafin, head of policy for the school leaders’ union NAHT, remarked, “With so much content to cover and revise in every subject, it can be completely overwhelming. It is unsurprising that young people are looking for anything to help them cope.”

Despite the concerns surrounding online predictions, some educators and influencers see the value in the content being shared. Tilly Taylor, a university student who provides revision advice to her 100,000 followers on TikTok, emphasizes that her videos are clearly marked as predictions based on historical exam data. “I make it very clear in my videos that these are predictions,” she explained, noting that she aims to provide helpful support to her peers.

Others in the educational influencer community have a more lenient view of the practice of offering predicted papers. Ishaan Bhimjiyani, another prominent figure with over 400,000 TikTok followers, stated, “If you’re marketing it as a predicted paper, that’s completely fine… you just can’t say guaranteed paper.” He even promoted a site selling predicted papers for £1.99 (approximately $2.70) that claims a success rate of 60-70 percent.

The Rise of Educational Influencers

The phenomenon of educational influencers has gained traction, with many creators finding success by sharing study techniques and resources. For instance, Jen, who operates under the name Primrose Kitten, offers predicted papers for £4.99 and includes instructional videos designed to help students achieve high marks.

Bhimjiyani began his journey at age 16, documenting his own revision process on social media. “And then it kind of took off,” he recalled. He has since established an educational influencer agency, Tap Lab, which now represents over 100 bloggers ranging from their mid-teens to mid-20s.

While monetization through promotions is common, creators like Taylor emphasize the importance of sharing genuine advice. “No one explained how do you actually revise,” she reflected on her school experience, prompting her to seek out resources on YouTube and eventually inspire her own content creation. “I wanted to help someone like myself, who couldn’t necessarily afford to go to private school or have private tuition.”

As students continue to navigate their educational journeys, the role of influencers in exam preparation remains a double-edged sword. While their guidance can provide support and motivation, the importance of critical thinking and independent study cannot be overstated. The upcoming GCSE results may reveal the true impact of this trend on student outcomes and the future of exam preparation in the digital age.